Christine Sargologos Wedding Photography in Sayulita

Christine Sargologos is a talented wedding photographer who grew up in San Antonio, Texas, which is where she started her photography business, Christine Sargologos Wedding Photography. While she continues to shoot weddings in San Antonio, she also works wherever her clients so desire. She often finds herself shooting weddings in the San Francisco Bay area and throughout California, Cape Cod, and Mexico, which of course, includes Sayulita.

How did you first become interested in photography?

Travel did it. I started traveling more toward the end of college and wanted to take pictures of everything I saw. I felt so inspired and shot rolls and rolls during my first big trip. Sadly, the photos were terrible. No depth, bad exposure, you name it. So, I signed up for a photography course when I got back home and learned how to shoot properly. Once I had control of the camera, it all snapped together and I was hooked.

How did you go from being an aspiring photographer to doing it full time for a living?

I had just moved to Savannah, Georgia, when I was really getting decent at photography. At the time I was experimenting and taking lots of still lives and city scenes, which turned out to be a great way to explore a new home. I’d spend most days walking around and shooting until I had to pack up and go to my bartending job in the evenings. Eventually it occurred to me to start looking for photography-related gigs and I found one pretty quickly. I started assisting a husband-and-wife wedding photography team, who taught me a ton. I shot my first weddings with them and really started to love it. They also taught me about building contracts and a great website, among other things. About a year later I started shooting my own weddings and building my business.

How would you describe your style of photography?

I think to be a great wedding photographer you have to shoot a variety of ways throughout the day. I focus on sentimental and fun candids, but I also shoot bright, editorial details and beautiful portraits. I like true colors, natural angles, and strong composition. More than anything, I want the photos I take to be storytelling and memorable.

What do you like most about being a photographer?

So many things. I love that every shoot or wedding is fresh, and that there’s no limit to the number of stories I can tell. With weddings I love that the happiness and significance is universal. Being a photographer means that I can document my own life too, and I like that seamlessness.

How long have you been shooting weddings?

I shot my first wedding in 2009 and have been doing weddings full time since 2010. I’ve shot roughly 100 to date.

Do you do other types of photography in addition to wedding photography?

I do. I shoot lifestyle, apparel, and product photography also.

What do you like most about shooting weddings in Sayulita?

They’re fun, flat out. People that get married in Sayulita are usually making a vacation of it and bringing family and friends down to join too. Everyone is in a great mood, the celebration lasts the whole weekend, and the wedding doesn’t stop at 10pm when the venue closes or the band leaves. Instead, they wheel out an al pastor station or some churros and keep dancing until the wee hours. The next day I usually run into the same faces on the beach or walking through town, and we’re all smiles. It’s a pretty unique experience.

Do you have a favorite spot you like to take photos in Sayulita? If so, where and why?

I can’t choose. This city is romantic, playful and quaint all at once. I like shooting on the tiny streets with the town moving around, but I also love the quiet beach scenes and deep jungle greens. Giant bougainvelleas, colorful fruit stands, towering palms. It’s all fair game.

Will you tell me about a favorite wedding that you’ve shot in Sayulita?

Truly, they have all been incredible. But, my favorite has to be one of the first that I shot and I think it’s what sold me on shooting weddings in Sayulita. The bride dressed at an incredible home with a wide ocean view, and the wedding was at Don Pedro’s palapa overlooking Sayulita. The groom was adorably nervous, and dapper. She was stunning. I think there were about 70 guests, so it was big enough to be a party, but small enough to be intimate. They served swordfish and aguas frescas while mariachis sang. We wandered down to Playa de los Muertos and took some beautiful sunset portraits. The couple did their first dance (Rhianna!) by sparkler light on the lawn overlooking the bay. There was a donkey and of course, churros. The dance floor was full all night. I have some great photos from that one.

Your work has been featured many places. Will you tell me more about this?

Sure. My wedding work has been featured in print and online with Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink, and several other wedding outlets. My editorial and lifestyle work has been used for Express, Everlane, Polo Ralph Lauren and Adidas campaigns, among others.

What can people expect if they hire you?

You can expect me to be cool, calm and collected, and fun. I’m focused when I work, but I also try to be a part of the celebration and get in the mix. Leading up to the wedding I’m always available to my clients if they need help getting prepared, and I’m glad to be a resource however I can. From my photos you can expect ageless, fun images that call back your wedding day in lovely detail.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for the interview! I can’t wait to be back in Sayulita and hope I can bump into some El Sayulero readers on the beach this winter!